Bill Text: NJ SR89 | 2016-2017 | Regular Session | Introduced
Bill Title: Condemns actions of professional athletes who fail to stand for national anthem.
Spectrum: Partisan Bill (Republican 1-0)
Status: (Introduced - Dead) 2016-11-03 - Introduced in the Senate, Referred to Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee [SR89 Detail]
Download: New_Jersey-2016-SR89-Introduced.html
Sponsored by:
Senator MICHAEL J. DOHERTY
District 23 (Hunterdon, Somerset and Warren)
SYNOPSIS
Condemns actions of professional athletes who fail to stand for national anthem.
CURRENT VERSION OF TEXT
As introduced.
A Senate Resolution condemning professional athletes who fail to stand during the national anthem.
Whereas, The national anthem of the United States, the Star-Spangled Banner, was conceived when Francis Scott Key, detained on a British warship that had been bombarding Fort McHenry for 25 straight hours, observed that the American flag withstood the naval assault and remained flying above the damaged fortress as a symbol of American perseverance, resilience, and unity; and
Whereas, The Star-Spangled Banner gained prominence during the 19th Century when it became the unofficial anthem of most branches of the United States armed forces; and
Whereas, On March 3, 1931, amid the Great Depression, the Star-Spangled Banner was officially designated as the national anthem of the United States; and
Whereas, Our national anthem has become a symbol of American solidarity, and is regularly performed on domestic and foreign military bases, at ceremonies to commemorate American achievements and national tragedies, and at events when millions of Americans come together to celebrate our national pastimes; and
Whereas, A trend has recently emerged whereby professional athletes have refused to stand during the playing of the national anthem at athletic events; and
Whereas, The misguided acts of these individuals serve only to sow divisiveness throughout the country, set a destructive example for American youth, and offend the legacies of our armed services members, and their families, who fought and sacrificed to preserve the freedoms all Americans enjoy; and
Whereas, Many young individuals, including amateur athletes in New Jersey, have begun to mimic the actions of those few professional athletes; and
Whereas, Our national anthem should draw attention to professional athletes, such as Pat Tillman, who gave up their careers, and ultimately their lives, in defense of the nation that we, as Americans, all constitute; and
Whereas, At a time when our country is at war abroad and defending against terror attacks in our communities, acts that disparage our national identity are corrosive and counterproductive; now, therefore,
Be It Resolved by the Senate of the State of New Jersey:
1. The Senate of New Jersey condemns the failure of professional athletes to properly stand during the playing of the national anthem of the United States.
2. Copies of this resolution, as filed with the Secretary of State, shall be transmitted by the Secretary of the Senate to the Commissioner of the National Football League and the Executive Director of the New Jersey State Interscholastic Athletic Association.
STATEMENT
This resolution condemns the actions of the professional athletes who refuse to stand during the national anthem.
The Star-Spangled Banner is a symbol of the sacrifices made by our men and women in uniform. It is a reminder that, no matter what challenges we may need to confront and overcome as a nation, we are stronger standing united together than kneeling apart. Professional athletes, as role models for our youth, must reflect on the messages sent by their actions.
At a time when America is fighting wars abroad and defending against domestic terrorist attacks, our country needs to unite and display our collective strength and support for the members of our armed forces. The misguided and self-serving actions of a few individuals only serve to weaken our national identity and spread divisiveness throughout the country when we should, rather, be the shining city upon a hill that serves as an example for the world.
